The way in which the Panels have developed since transfer has meant that although originally there were twelve Local Area Panels to match the twelve areas identified for the Business Plan and the Decent Homes Work, these have now reduced to ten Panels to reflect how natural communities identify themselves and assist with community cohesion.

A typical example of how we have encouraged local ownership of Phoenix is the way we introduced the new local signage. Each Local Area Panel has adopted a name and identity and is commissioning tailor made new signs for their estates. This has involved more time and resources than if we had adopted a "one size fits all" approach but means residents have produced a high quality, localised product.

We have encouraged attendance at our panels; 640 resident attendances were recorded from April to November 2009. This is a 6% increase from the previous year. Each Panel has a small budget and ideas on how to spend it so far include;

• Engagement events to encourage attendance at local area panels
• Play equipment
• Bowling green for the elderly
• Benches
• Increased security measures
• Better Lighting
• Gates

In readiness for April 2010, each panel will now be identifying, via the consultation on the Corporate Plan, the local key performance indicators that they will monitor for the year.

Panels also join together in larger meetings for important consultation exercises for example the proposals for the rent and service charge increase for 2010/11.